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They are also banned from selling packs of ten as well as smaller sizes of rolling tobacco, the Guardian reported.

Despite the new rules, Philip Morris is reported to have shipped branded tin containers to branches of chain stores including Sainsbury's, Londis and Budgens.

The cases are the size of a ten-pack and still feature anti-smoking images and messages.

Labour MP Alex Cunningham suggested Philip Morris is attempting to keep the Marlboro brand visible for as long as possible.

'It's against the whole spirit of what's intended with the plain packaging legislation,' the Guardian quotes Mr Cunningham, of Stockton North, as saying.

'It's an immature trick and I hope people will soon put them into their bins and they'll find their way to the recycling centre.'

Philip Morris said it made the tins before 20 May last year, before the start of a 12-month grace period given to cigarette companies to change their packaging.

MPs and anti-smoking campaigners have blasted the firm, valued in excess of £30bn, ahead of the biggest ever shake up in tobacco regulation in the UK

UK GUIDANCE ON CIGARETTE PACKAGING

Government guidelines state that all cigarette packs must now be in 'standardised packaging'.

It goes on to say packs must be in the same cuboid shape in 'a non-shiny drab dark brown'.

Brand names are allowed but must be in a set position, font and maximum size.

It adds: 'Required health warnings and other permitted features must be presented in a standardised way.'

Government guidelines state that all cigarette packs must now be in 'standardised packaging'

The same guidelines ban:

All other trademarks, logos, colour schemes and promotional images

Any other colours or markings

Promotional images or logos

Inserts

Slim packets (but slim individual cigarette sticks are allowed)

Indication of flavour of cigarette

Non-standard noises or smells

Features which change after sale

Without disclosing the exact number, the firm said only a 'relatively small number' were given out.

Anti-tobacco campaigners fear the packs, which cost the same as a ten-pack, will keep Marlboro's branding visible for much longer.

Cancer Research UK has welcomed stricter new rules on cigarette packaging, as well as increases in excise duty.

It believes the added cost, coupled with tobacco control measures, would deter people from smoking, a pastime it said kills about 96,000 people in the UK every year.

A spokesman for Philip Morris Ltd (PM UK) told MailOnline: 'A small number of tins of Marlboro 10s were produced in full compliance with the law and distributed to retailers well in advance of the new plain packaging legislation deadline.

'Our focus is on developing reduced risk alternatives for adult smokers as part of working towards a smoke-free future.'